{Instagram-in-it}

Last month I decided to take part in a Photo-A-Day Challenge after being inspired by my wonderful cousin Stephanie, who took part in one for the month of January. (you can read about her photo-a-day challenge here and here) Like, Stephanie, I have decided to show you my photos. I had fun using instagram (an app on my iPhone) to take the pictures and it was a great way to be creative! Hope you enjoy looking as much as I did taking :)

Day #1: Your view today

Day #2: Words

Day #3: Hands

Day #4: A stranger (actually, 3 strangers and a brother :)

Day #5: 10am (I was busy reading)

Day #6: Dinner (again, I was busy reading)

Day #7: Button

Day #8: Sun (it was gloomy this day...)

Day #9: Front door

Day #10: Self Portrait

Day #11: Makes you happy (hubby and puppy :)

Day #12: Inside your closet

Day #13: Blue

Day #14: Heart

Day #15: Phone

{are you sick of this yet?? half way thru!}

Day #16: Something new (in bed before 10pm)

Day #17: Time

Day #18: Drink

Day #19: Something you hate to do (fold laundry)

Day #20: Handwriting

Day #21: A fave photo of you

Day #22: Where you work

Day #23: Your shoes

Day #24: Inside your bathroom cabinet

Day #25: Green

Day #26: Night

Day #27: Something you ate

Day #28 and #29: Money and Something your listening to (background noise of tv, and reading about pricing on etsy)

Well, there ya have it. A month in photos in the life of me :)

Johnny lent me some apples...

I finally did it. I made my first ever pie. And it was soo yummy! Remember when I decided that becoming a maker of pies was my New Year's resolution? (You can read about it here) Well, I've only made the one. So if my goal (that I may just now be setting) is to make at least one pie a month, I'm behind. But, oh well. I made a pie!

Apple, to be exact. With a cinnamon roll-like crust. A while back I found Pampered Chef's Apple Corer at a thrift store for $5. It was brand new- so a definite steal. It works amazingly- if you've never seen or used one. It peels and cores, and spirals your apple all in one step.




The crust was just a store bought, (Yes, I feel like that's cheating, but for my cinnamon roll-like crust that's what it called for) and actually tasted pretty good :)



Tuh duh! Here it is all baked.



And of course, being eaten...





Happy pie making!

i {heart} nerds.

Tonight's the night... to work on more crafts! Sometimes when I say "crafts" a lot of times in a small conversation (or in this case, blog) I sense a silliness about the word. Almost like it's... nerdy. Well, maybe it is... But I am ok with that.

Can't wait to work on my 'Monster' collection! I can't wait to be nerdy and craft all the craft-long day...

:)

Now

I just finished reading the last of The Hunger Games trilogy. Great series, if you haven't read it :) I still have a special place in my heart for that darn Twilight Saga, but The Hunger Games now shares the space.

On another note, I spent pretty much all of yesterday crafting. And I had so much fun. Just me, some much needed worship music, and my sewing machine. Which needs a name... Right? Or am I the only person who names objects that I love?

Today I will do more crafting. I am really seeing things come together, and have a desire to see finished products- resulting in my soon-to-be shop. I'm hopeful today, and I like days like these.

Off to craft with Lou... or Nita... maybe it should be Bullet... I'll let you know...

What'd'ya Think?

Do you ever have those ideas that you think are just too out there? The ones that make you think "What if I try, and I fail, and then people make fun of me"? Also, do you ever have ideas that you feel may just in fact be from the Lord? Because I think I'm having one of those ideas... and I think I feel both ways about it. Which is probably why I'm just now starting to bring it to light.

What's my idea? I'm glad you asked :) I love to craft. I would like to say create- but I haven't always thought of myself as very creative, so crafting is what I stick to. I like to craft with paper, paint, fabric, things... All things I can find. My idea would be to craft things to sell. Not overly expensive- because, let's face it... I'm a champ when it comes to crafting on a dime. And this is the real reason for the desire for extra money flow. To go toward what ever I feel like I'm supposed to give toward that month, say. Or week... You know what I mean? Like for example, I have an outstanding debt to a very precious organization I once worked with. It has never been out of my mind that I will pay that off, but when all your other money goes toward other things... well... I think every person and their dog probably gets what I'm saying.

So, now the scary slash big question for you... who ever you are reading my blog... What do you think about the idea? I long for your most honest opinions. I'm a truth girl. I believe in it. I promise I won't get mad at you ;) So lay it on me!

Also, just because I think this may be the first question from any given person... How would I promote slash sell my crafts? Via another blog. Linked up to this one. Advertised via facebook. I know myself well enough to say that at this point, even if I actually do this, I'm not committed enough to have say, an Etsy shop. Ok, that's all. Opinions please!

Par-tay!

Saturday was a day for laughing, fun, friends and family. A day for a party. To celebrate one amazing woman. One amazing mom. My mom. Her birthday isn't until tomorrow, but we had one heck of a time yesterday, showering her with love and gifts and hugs.
My mom's 46th year has been a difficult one- in more ways than anyone will ever really understand. And my number one prayer for her 47th? Healing, restoration, true love, and real happiness. Hopefully this quaint party was the start to those things.
I made cute invites that had a rhyme to explain the nights events, and made a few simple, matching decorations :) It was fun! The food included Buffalo Chicken dip and Cucumber roll-ups (recipes found on my Pinterest), a delicious punch, coffee and other yummy treats.
And of course, the famous 'Shoemaker birthday cake'.

My mom has had this birthday cake every year since she was one year old. And that tradition has been the same for all of us kids as well. It's a scrumptious chocolate cake made from scratch (of course) with a "fluffy white frosting" that looks like marshmallow but isn't. Then, the top is drizzled with melted Hershey's bar... OMG. Yum! We definitely had enough to feed all of you... You should've been there!
And her friends. Amazing people! They gave gifts that showed her how loved she is, but most importantly.. They came. They hugged her. They care. I am thankful for those people.















It was a great night- so fun! I love you, Mom! Happiest birthday to you!

Pies the Limit

I've never been big on resolutions. Maybe it's because I somehow know I will most likely fail at them, or maybe because I'm just too lazy. Well this year is going to be different. I am making a resolution. Maybe I'll make more as the year goes by, {who says you can't do that} but for now, just one.

I will make pies. Learn, create, master even. ... Ok maybe not MASTER, but you get the enthusiasm.

And I am excited about this resolution. This goal. I believe in myself! I really believe this is a resolution that I will see carried out. And... I will blog about my pies. Yes, my pies will be delicious, not-so-nutritious and pretty :)

Are you excited?? I bet you want to come eat pie with me now, uh? Well... you can. But I haven't made one yet. I'll open my window and blow the fresh-out-of-the-oven scent in your direction. I promise. It might just come in the form of a blog.

So get your fork and tuck your napkin in to your shirt- this is gonna be good!